Plans to increase the size of two reservoirs in Wigtownshire
Plans are being drawn up to increase the size of two reservoirs. Scottish Water want to raise the height of the dam by 1.5m at Penwhirn Reservoir, which supplies most of Wigtownshire, and Black Elk reservoir, which supplies Dumfreisshire. It would increase the capacity of both by 35%
A public consultation event on the proposals is planned later this month.**
Nigel Graham-Smith, asset planner for the Wigtownshire area, said: "This proposed work will enable Scottish Water to meet water supply demands in times of low rainfall by enhancing the amount of water the reservoir can hold."
Local MP Russell Brown is angry over the SNP’s decision to overturn an 11-turbine wind farm rejection in the region.
The Glenchamber wind farm in Wigtownshire was turned down by the council last year claiming it would have “significant adverse affects on the local area.”
This is the second rejection to be overturned by the Scottish Government after the Carscreugh Fell site near Glenluce was given the go ahead in March.
“The Scottish Government clearly doesn’t care what local opinion is about wind farms. For the second time in just a few months they have ignored the decision of the local council and railroaded through another wind farm that isn’t wanted."
– Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown
The decision comes after the Scottish Government wrote to the council in June to ask them to identify regions where companies can apply to erect new wind farms.
Russell Brown has now called for Scotland’s Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing MSP, to visit Dumfries and Galloway to hear concerns.
The show will go on in Wigtown today - organisers vow
by Matthew Taylor
The organisers of the Wigtown Agricultural Show are determined to complete today's full events programme. The show jumping is due to start at 1pm with presentation of livestock trophies at 2pm. Last year the Princess Royal visited to celebrate the show's 200th year.
The Princess Royal visited a riding school for the disabled in Stranraer to open a new indoor riding arena. Our correspondent John Bevir was there and sent this report:
